Indiana Gov. Mike Pence announces that the state has negotiated with the federal government an extension of the Healthy Indiana Plan through 2014 to cover uninsured Hoosiers.

How disappointing that the Pence administration has not agreed to Medicaid expansion for low-income working Hoosiers as part of the Affordable Care Act. Not only will Indiana's nearly 400,000 working poor be denied access to managed care, but Indiana will lose $10.45 billion in federal money that would have created 30,000 new jobs, generated between $2.4 million and $3.4 million in economic development, and added $108 million in state and local taxes.

As if cutting our nose off to spite our face, the money would have moved people out of poverty while improving the standard of living for all Hoosiers. More specifically the additional investment in health care would expand Indiana's dominance in the life science industry and grow Tippecanoe County biotech companies such as Cook Industries, Evonik and burgeoning start-up companies in the Purdue Research Park. In addition to creating jobs, expanding Medicaid would result in real savings by reducing insurance premiums, stabilizing health-care costs, relieving area hospitals, expanding community services, and promoting health and wellness. Instead Indiana appears to be willing to play chicken with people's lives and livelihoods.

This being said we are optimistic that the governor will see the light. Before adjourning last spring, the Indiana General Assembly laid the groundwork for expanding means-tested health care by setting additional monies for the Medicaid Reserve Fund.

If you believe that Indiana cannot afford to wait until next year to realize the savings, economic growth and improved public health that would result from Medicaid expansion, we recommend that you share your views with Gov. Mike Pence.

Susan Brouillette

program director

Healthy Families and Sustainable Communities Lafayette Urban Ministry

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Indiana should embrace Medicaid expansion

How disappointing that the Pence administration has not agreed to Medicaid expansion for low-income working Hoosiers as part of the Affordable Care Act.